Irving Glickman

Irving Glickman was an American clinical researcher in the field of periodontology and author. He was one of the first to classify furcation defects and the role of occlusal trauma on periodontal disease and was described as "the father of periodontology."

Glickman was born on January 17, 1914. In 1941, Glickman joined the Tufts University faculty and became chair of the Department of Periodontology in 1948. In the 1950s, Glickman developed the bone factor concept about the factors that determine the severity of periodontal destruction, and developed a classification system for furcation involvement. 

In 1965, Glickman proposed a theory involving the relation of occlusal trauma to periodontal disease which led to further research in animal models.

In 1954, Glickman married his student, Violeta Arboleda. Glickman and Arboleda had a son, Alan, and a daughter, Denise.

Glickman died on October 2, 1972.